TOKYO — As Japan's ruling party seeks a new leader to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, health experts worry that his successor may prioritize reviving the recession-hit economy over its pledge to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, seen as the front runner to succeed Abe, pledged to focus on ending the epidemic, but he's been mum on details. Suga was seen as a key backer of a domestic travel campaign that critics said risked spreading the infection from major cities to the countryside. "Suga will most certainly prioritize the economy over infection control," said Fumie Sakamoto, who manages infection prevention at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo. "I'm not expecting anything new happening under Suga's leadership.

Source: International New York Times September 03, 2020 08:26 UTC